New Year Aikido at Hama Rikyu Gardens
You mightn’t associate Aikido with the New Year. But I and many other people do in Tokyo. A group of aikidokas gave their annual display at Hama Rikyu Gardens on January 2 and 3. It’s a part of the holiday celebrations. Here is what I saw in 2023.
Photo Gear for This Shoot
- Camera body: Fujifilm X-T3
- Lens: Fujifilm XF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR
What is Aikido?
Aikido is a modern Japanese martial art. It has many different styles. You can find it in about 140 countries. Morihei Ueshiba created it by blending his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. He wanted a fighting style that would limit injury to both practitioner and attacker.
The Hama Rikyu Aikido Photo Experience
This display takes place at Hama Rikyu Gardens every year, on January 2 and 3 (except during the pandemic). It is the prelude to the falcon display. How big is the crowd? I’m not sure, but it seems there are at least 1000 people.
The host of the event took us through the history of Aikido and its development. Once he finished, the display of the martial arts started. He sent all his opponents down to the mat.
A few were put in what seemed like painful holds! I would last about two seconds in them and tap out immediately. They looked effective.
Sword-fighting displays were also there. They were real of course but made of wood. If one of them hit, I bet they’d hurt. It was interesting to watch.
The Fujifilm 100-400 mm lens I used for these photos performed well. As the aikidokas were about fifty meters away, they were large in my viewfinder. This was one purchase I don’t regret.
What is Aikido?
Aikido is a modern Japanese martial art created by Morihei Ueshiba. He blended martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. The result was a fighting style that limits injury to both practitioner and attacker. The sport has many different styles. People in about 140 countries practice it.
Conclusion
The Hama Rikyu Gardens Aikido display is more than just a martial arts demonstration; it’s a vibrant piece of Tokyo’s New Year tradition. From the precise throws to the intensity of the swordwork, it’s a captivating spectacle. If you find yourself in Tokyo on January 2nd or 3rd, add this unique event to your itinerary. If you’re a photographer, bring a long lens! Leave comments and questions below.
Date of photos: 2 January, 2023
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External related websites:
- Aikikai Foundation (official website)